Stranger

7

Taking a deep breath I leave the car I've hired and looked over at the property, it doesn't seem modest at all, with its gigantic pillars standing to support the massive structure, white was the most dominant color of the building and one can see the wealth in how much they're cleaned; it doesn't even look lived in. Guards stand by the steps leading to the main entrance of the house, greeting people and asking for invitations to ensure that there be no hooligans gatecrashing into the party, I panic for a moment but that was short lived as I see my own invitations in the pocket of my clutch. People have already spilled to the front yard as their conversations could not be contained within the walls. Women wore red and some of similar hues, their headdresses seemed to compete with each other as one was bigger and shone brighter than the last. Is there a dress code I was not aware of? Men stood in suits, only being creative with their ties and inner shirts. I fight the urge to roll my eyes at them. As I walk to the main door, like everyone, I am greeted with a tall medium build man, he greets me politely then asks for my invitation. I hand it to him and something seems to register in his eyes as he went over to his partner. They speak for a second and I suddenly felt out of place, Am I not supposed to be here? He walks back to me a moment later and instead of letting me through like any other guest, he speaks,

"If you'll come with me ma'am" what in the bloody- ? I nod, walking just behind him as he ushers me across the brightly lit halls with about a dozen guests in every room. I can hardly make out what was in front of me as his massive back sheltered my view. We walk for about two minutes, taking endless turns through hallways and at one point even going up the stairs, I spot the imperial staircase from where we were and I observe a stout man standing there talking to a few other men, with him were two figures, one stood out as they were wearing a suit, white, unlike all the other ones we passed, all black. "Over here" rounding a more quiet hallway we are met by a room at the end greatly isolated to the rest of the party. He knocks three times and I hear a man inside ask who it was. "She's here sir" are they really expecting me that much? I wonder what would've happened if I hadn't shown up. The door opens and a man in a grey suit with greying hair greets us. His facial structure seemed so familiar to me, though I am fully aware that I haven't met him before.

"Thank you Roy, that'll be all" opening the door further he lets me in. The room can compare to the oval office, tiny; so I've been told. With a fire place up front and a desk in the middle. The view is of the backyard in which the party is booming. How many guests did these people invite? The man extends his hand to me and I take it "Vance, I'm the one that sent you the invite" I nod, "this is Joanne, my girlfriend." I see a woman in a maroon dress standing further in the room. Her hair was shoulder length with straight bangs, her eyes were dark brown, and her smile suited her nicely. I walk over and she gives me a hug.

"Olivia! Oh goodness, I love your books so much!" I smile lightly, "not many people write about that subject, it's bold." I chuckle, sure that I had developed a tinge of blush that wasn't part of my make up. My writing is something I never really talk about with people, I mostly get letters and plaques, but never a full on conversation. I shyly thank her and bow my head.

"I really appreciate that you decided to accept the invitation, it's a great honor, really. Her, and my sister can't seem to stop talking about you" he motions to Joanne

"oh yes, the birthday girl started reading your work a few months ago and we started discussing it," I feel myself blush, the contents of my book isn't exactly 'brunch talk' "It's great to finally have a face to the name, you're gorgeous if I may say so"

"Thank you, though, I don't really let people know that I'm the author, it's more of a pen name, for me to still have a private life. I hope you understand" they look at each other and nod